Chapter 1030 This is me Part 6
HINO
"It has, rather it almost turned messy. But, Takahas.h.i.+ Yumi stepped up."
"It almost turned messy?" Hino said with a raised eyebrow.
Sano didn"t mention that. But then again, his friend still doesn"t understand how the entertainment industry works.
"Yes, during a best of music live show. Some other guests on the show bribed the staff to say some bad things about Ibuki-san. Miya almost lost her temper, but before this could happen. Takahas.h.i.+ Yumi appeared."
"Was she scheduled to show up?"
"No, she wasn"t. It was shocking, and she performed a new song on the spot."
Takahas.h.i.+ Yumi"s new song? She hasn"t released a new song in years, since she has been focusing on shaping the entertainment industry.
Ca.s.sie takes her phone out and shows him a video.
"Mothers and elder sisters and lovers...
Wind and rain and shadows from the trees...
I can become anything for your sake.
To the sea, to the sky, to the galaxy...
The single light that flies from my heart is "love".
We are on a never-ending travel
To kick away the stencil that draws out our dreams for us.
So with a Que sera
It"s fine, it"s OK, you"re fine the way you are. Just as long as you stay by my side...
There will be a happy lucky future. I will spread out both of my hands for you, no matter what kind of a person you are." Yumi sang.
By the end of the performance, Hino was frozen. What on earth was that? The song, her clothes and her aura. Everything was perfect.
"After a performance like this? Everyone was too focused on her, too talk badly about Ibuki-san again."
"I can imagine." Hino trailed off.
Takahas.h.i.+ didn"t act like?this when she performed with Sumire. Was she holding herself back? No, that"s not it.
"Idols evolve. I may have defeated Yumi-senpai on our last stage. But, that doesn"t mean I have truly beaten her. Idols constantly evolve, the top position is fleeting and Yumi-senpai is a special type of idol. There is a reason why she has occupied the top spot for so many years. As an idol, I"m still a fledging. This win, is temporary."
Sumire"s words echoed in his head. That girl always seems to end up proving that she is right. Takahas.h.i.+ Yumi is already twenty five, in terms of being an idol. She is considered "old" and not new anymore. For most idols, growing old is deadly to their careers. They don"t get as many opportunities as before. When Takahas.h.i.+ started to fade into the background, others a.s.sumed it was because of this. However, that"s not it at all.
Hino glanced over and saw Ca.s.sie wore a complicated expression on her face. "What is it?"
"Honestly, even now I"m amazed. Hino, you know I have always been a huge fan of Takahas.h.i.+ Yumi right?"
Hino nodded.
"She is the reason I wanted to become an idol and in recent years, I truly thought I was getting closer to her. However, it"s no good.?That level of brilliance? There is no way I can reach that."
At those words he frowns. "It"s not like you to give up. I know it was a amazing show, but-"
Ca.s.sie shakes her head. "After seeing that, recently I have thought that what I have now is enough. My position in the entertainment industry is good."
"Are you going to give up challenging her as the Queen?"
"I"ll continue partic.i.p.ating in the Queen cup, since I went through all the trouble of gathering all those points. But, I"ll let myself get eliminated or drop out before the finals."
"Are you sure that"s a good?idea?"
"I don"t care what others say about me, Hino. I simply can"t beat that. However," Ca.s.sie trailed off. "I"m sure she can."
At those words Hino glances over to see where Ca.s.sie was pointing at to see Sumire peeking her head through the pillar.
"I can"t sleep without knowing you"re getting your injuries looked at."
"Yeah, I was planning to go after speaking with yuhi and I b.u.mped into Cas."
"Mm, I was the one who asked her to come here." Sumire takes Ca.s.sie"s phone and replays the video. Unlike Ca.s.sie, who was trembling while watching it. Sumire"s eyes lit up.
"Yumi-senpai really is the best. However, she isn"t undefeatable."
Ca.s.sie was shaking her head in disbelief. "I"m afraid I"ll have to pa.s.s."
Sumire laughed. "I see, I don"t blame you for it. What about her?"
"If it"s that one, I can see you two standing in the semis together. She also didn"t lose faith after seeing the show."
Despite the vague words between the two. Hino immediately understood who they were referring too.
"I see, I suppose I have to confront her eventually and thank her. Yumi-senpai aside, I"m sure she also helped out with the rumors regarding me disappearing."
Ca.s.sie nodded. "Anya-san was furious. She said the media att.i.tude towards you isn"t fair."
Sumire laughs. "That"s just how the industry works, but I"m truly thankful."
Seeing Sumire sway sideways, Hino was about to break her fall but Mas.h.i.+ma quickly caught her.
Toh sighs deeply. "This again beautiful?"
Sumire giggled. "I knew you"d come after me."
"You really need to rest, you"ve been through a lot and tomorrow you"ll be busy with all kinds of tests."
"I know, I know." Sumire moved away from Mas.h.i.+ma and walked towards him. She suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him.
Ca.s.sie"s hug startled him but Sumire"s? Sumire"s made him freeze on the spot.
"Thank you so much Hino. Since Yuhi left, you have always kept me safe."
At those words he clenched his fist. "You"ve been hurt twice because of me. I don"t think that"s exactly keeping you safe."
Sumire shakes her head. "Because of you, not once did I feel alone. Although I missed Yuhi-san like crazy, because of you. I didn"t feel lonely. I knew you were a single call away. Thank you Hino, for keeping me safe. For being there for me." She moved her face away from his shoulder and caressed his cheek. "Lucifer didn"t lose control of his monster side when he was around me. I thought it was because of him feeding from me, but there is something else more efficient."